GATEWAY TO UNDERSTANDING AQIDAH, FIQH, SIRAH & TAFSIR 2

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Know, may Allāh bless me and you, that for a Muslim there is no objective more noble than studying, teaching, implementing, defending and calling to Tawḥīd. It is the call of every Prophet and Messenger, and the core message of every divine book. It is the objective for which we were created, and it is the scale of success or failure in this life and after we die.
This book has been compiled in order to aid us to fulfil this noble objective. It contains study notes for various treatises covering ʿAqīdah, Fiqh, Tafsīr and Sīrah. In order to aid the progression of the reader, they have been sequenced from basic to the more advanced.
This compilation is divided into smaller ‘books’. Each book contains: the original Arabic treatise and its English translation, a gateway to understanding the treatise and exam questions where applicable.
The treatises included are:
1. Al-Uṣūl Ath-Thalāthah (The Three Fundamental Principles) by Imām Muḥammad ibn ʿAbd al-Wahhāb;
2. Pillars of Īmān and Iḥsān by Shaykh Haytham Sarḥān;
3. Al-Qawāʿid al-Arbaʾ (The Four Fundamental Principles) by Imām Muḥammad ibn ʿAbd al-Wahhāb;
4. Nawāqiḍ al-Islām (Matters Which Invalidate a Person’s Islām) by Imām Muḥammad ibn ʿAbd al-Wahhāb;
5. Ad-Durūs Al-Muhimmah (Important Lessons for the Common Muslims of the Ummah) by Imām ʿAbd al-ʿAzīz ibn Bāz;
6. Basic Sīrah of the Prophet ‘alaihissalaatu wassalaam by Abul Abbaas Naveed Ayaaz; and
7. Tafsīr As-Saʿdī of the smaller chapters of the 30th Juzz by Shaykh ʿAbd ar-Raḥmān ibn Nāṣir As-Sa’adī.
The notes explaining the treatises have been taken from the teachings of Shaykh Haytham ibn Muḥammad Sarḥān (may Allāh preserve him) who is known for his great efforts in teaching ʿAqīdah and other Islamic sciences in Masjid an-Nabawī in Medinah. It would not be an exaggeration to say his students are in the hundreds, if not thousands, spread throughout the Islamic and western world. Even after many of his students have returned to their countries, there exists between them and the Shaykh constant communication, and cooperation in Daʿwah.
Our Shaykh is known and recognised by the scholars, and his teaching method is unique amongst the scholars – focusing on memorisation, small groups of students and constant assessments and examinations. Shaykh Haytham Sarḥān’s teaching method is reflected in the contents of this book and in the manner it has been organised and laid out.
These treatises and the study notes can be used by a teacher for his students, as a curriculum in Masājid or at home; and for self study. The book has been organised in a manner which aids progressive memorisation and understanding.
The main treatises have been included in Arabic and then English, each page side by side for memorisation. This is followed by understanding the points of benefit contained in the ‘gateway’ and finally assessing what has been learnt through the self-assesment questions.
As well as benefitting from the book, the reader is encouraged to make use of the audio lessons published in various languages in the website of Shaykh Haytham: www.attasseel-alelmi.com.
Finally – and after the virtue of my Lord – I would like to thank brothers Mūsā al-Hindee and Majid Khan for their checking and proof-reading of the book, may Allāh place their efforts on the scales of good deeds on the Day of Resurrection.
May Allāh preserve our Shaykh Haytham Sarḥān, lengthen his life and cause him to be an avenue of benefit for the Ummah. May Allāh forgive us for our short-comings, make our actions sincere for His sake, forgive our parents, teachers and all the Muslims. May peace and blessings be upon our beloved Prophet, his family and companions and the worshippers of Allāh.
Abul Abbaas Naveed Ayaaz
2nd Shawwal 1437h, a day after the blessed ʿĪd al-Fiṭr
7th July, 2016
Nelson, Lancashire, United Kingdom